Gas-engine



` 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Modem MBECK.. GAS ENGINE.

Patenten-pr. 26, 189s.l

UNITED STATES PATENT ittica.

MILTON BECK, OF RACINE, WISCGNSIN.

GAS-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent NO. 602,820, dated April 26, 1898. Application filed March l, 1897. Serial No. 625,665. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern;

Be it known that I, MILTON BECK, of the city of Racine, in the county of Racine, in the State of'Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hydrocarbon-engines in which gas or hydrocarbon oils are preferably made use of as the fuel; and the object of the invention is, first, to provide a simple and effective means Whereby the connecting-rod journals in the piston may be kept thoroughly lubricated; secondly, to provide'an improved and positive form of igniter; thirdly, to provide an improved forni of vapor-iter whereby the gas may be surcharged with air on its way to the explosionchamber, and, fourthly, to provide an improved form of governor for the engine; and it consists, essentially, rst, of a piston havin g a convex interior, beneath the head end of which is located a saucer-shaped recess having a duct leading from it to the journal-pin, on which the connecting-rod of the crank-shaft is journaled, the crank of the crank-shaft being designed to rotate in oil and throw such oil up into the interior of the piston, as hereinafter Inore particularly explained; secondly, of a stem Which extends into the explosionchamber and is connected by wire to one pole of an electric battery, the end of the stem being provided with a pin, which is designed to be brought in contact with the flat blade,suit ably held in the chamber and connected by a crank-rod and gear connection With the main shaft of the motor; thirdly, of a cylinder open at the bottom and top and located immediately above the crank-pit, with which it communicates, such cylinder being grooved and covered with wicking and supplied with oil from a suitable pipe, the top of the cylinder communicating with the valve leading to the explosion-chamber, and, fourthly, of securing on the end of the valve-stem a crank which is connected by a rod to an arm slidably journaled on the main shaft and havinga groove into which iit the pins on the end of the arms of a governor supported on the hub of a iiy- Wheel, the parts being otherwise arranged and constructed in detail as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure l is a sectional perspective vieW of a hydrocarbon-engine of the gas type constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the outer case of the engine broken away to exhibit the peculiar construction. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detail of the valve communicat-in g `With the vaporizer and explosion-chamber. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the vaporizer. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional ldetail showing the exhaust valve and port.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

A is the main casing of the engine, Within which the maj or portion of the operating parts are inclosed, and a is a series of openings situated above the bottom Iiange of the casing and designed to admit air.

C is the main shaft, Whichis suitably journaled in the ends of the casing.

D is the crank-pit, located Within the casing and suitably supported on the sides thereof, and E is a iiy-Wheel, (shown in dotted lines,) the inner portions of the spokes E and hub E2 being shown in full lines in Fig. l.

The crank-pit D is intended to be partially filled with oil.

F is the crank.

G is the cylinder, which is provided With the usual Water-jacket g and removable cap g.

II is the piston, which is made hollow and has a depending convex inner portion h and journals h', attached to or forming part of the piston-casting and situated beneath the depending convex inner portion.

h2 is a pin which is secured in the journals h.

I is the connecting-rod, which -is attached in the usual manner to the crank and has a bushing i, with an opening t", situated at the top. The top of the connecting-rod I has a saucenshaped recess i2, which has hole i3 registering With the hole i in the bushing c'.

As the crank F is caused to revolve it Will throw up the lubricating-oil in the crank-pit D into the interior of the piston against the depending portion 7L, from Which it will drop into the saucer-shaped recess 2 and through the holes is and i' upon the pin h2, thereby keeping it thoroughly lubricated.

J is a gear-Wheel secured on the main shaft IOO C and meshing with the gear-wheel K, secured on the counter-shaft L. The gearwheel K is double the size of the gear-wheel J, so that upon every two revolutions of the shaft C the counter-shaft L is given one revolution, and this is so arranged as to make my engine of the four-stroke-cycle class, as will be understood from what is hereinafter described.

G is the explosion-chamber, which is provided with a removable cap g2, which is for the purpose of getting at the igniter hereinafter explained. It will be noticed that the explosion chamber communicates directly with the top of the cylinder.

M is a screwsleeve provided with a nutshaped end, which is screwed into a corre-' Sponding hole in the casing. In the inner end of the sleeve M is suitably secured by Screws m a steel blade m.

M' is a sleevefitting within the sleeve M and provided with suitable mica or other insulating material m2, surrounding the sleeve and separating it from the interior of .the sleeveM. There is an inner flange m3 formed on the end of the sleeve M', and the outer end of the sleeve is externally threaded and provided with a nut m4, so that the sleeve is securely held in position.

N is a rod provided with a bent end fn, which extends through the sleeve M and has a beveled collar n secured at the inner end of the sleeve and an arm n2 at the outer end of the rod by which such rodv is secured from longitudinal displacement. Extending outwardly from the bent end n is a pin n3, with which the end of the blade m' is designed to have a wiping make and break contact in the manner hereinafter described. The blade m is a spring-blade and when resting onfthe pin n3 has a downward pressure.

O is a rod connecting the arm n2 to a crank Z, secured on the end of the shaft L. The upper end of the rod O is insulated from the crank r1.2, so as to prevent its short-circuitin g, which would otherwise take place if such insulation were not provided, as will be seen from what is hereinafter described.

o is a metal spring-finger separated from the casing A by the insulating-plate o, which is suitably secured to the casing. The springlinger is held against the plate by the screws 02, which are screwed through the finger into the insulating-plate.

04 is awire leading from the one screw 02.

Upon every second revolution of the main shaft the shaft L is rotated once and drives the crank Z around in the direction indicated by arrow. During one half-revolution the crank Z strikes upon the spring-linger o, at the same time throwing up the arm n, and consequently drawing the pin n3 from beneath the spring-blade m. As the arm-crank Z isk designed vto be in contact with the springfinger o until after the pin n3 has been drawn from contact with the blade m', it will be seen that as the circuit is complete from the battery through the wires o4, rod N, pin n3, blade m', casing M, crank Z, spring-ringer o, and wire o1 to the battery that immediately the pin n3 leaves the blade m' a spark will take place which will explode the gaseous vapor above the piston and impel it downwardly. This action, it will be seen,will occur upon the upward movement of the rod O and arm n2.

Upon the pin n3 passing from beneath the blade m', as hereinbefore described, the blade m, being set at an angle with the lower side,

`will spring slightly downward when it is relieved of the pin, and as the arm n2 is being brought downwardly by the continuation of the rotation of the crank Z the pin n3 will pass upwardly over the laterally -inclined plate, so as to force the far edge downwardly. As it passes the edge, however, the crank Zwill be directly opposite the spring-finger 0 and the spark which would have otherwise taken place if the circuit had been complete will not now take place, as there is no connection between the spring-nger and th-e frame. It will thus be seen that a spark will be caused to take place only upon every revolution of the crank Z-that is to say, upon every two revolutions of the main Ashaft O or at the period when the piston is at the limit'of its upward stroke and such explosion is required to impel it downwardlyso as to give two revolutions of the crankshaft,- which is of course aided by the momentum given to the iiywheel.

I shall now describe the vaporizer.

P is a metal cylinder provided with a continuous spiral groove p, extending from near the top to near the bottom and supported in a suitable outer casing A', forming part of the main casing A, to which it is secured by a lower outwardly-projecting dan ge p', through which screws extend into the bottom of the supplemental casing A.

p2 is a head situated within the top of the cylinder P, and p3 is a trough formed around the bottom end of the cylinder P.

p4 is the supply-pipe for the oil.

p5 is the 'waste-pipe for the escape of the surplus oil.

P' is a suitable covering of wicking which surrounds the cylinder P.

P2 is the ring of perforations surrounding the cylinder P above the head p2. P3 are perforations made in the groove p, extending from aboutthe center thereof to near the bottom. The oil which flows onto the head p2 from the supply pipe p4 trickles down through the perforations p2 down the outside of the groove p, being absorbed by the wicking. The air passing up through the interior of the cylinder passes outwardly through the perforations p3, and thereby vaporizes such oil which ascends to the regulating-valve.

Q is a gas supply pipe which extends through the top of the casing.

R is the vapor-supply-regulating valve,

which is formed in cylindrical form, with the longitudinal slots or ports r leading to the IIO gas-supply pipe Q, and r and Ar2 are longitudinal slots or ports extending above the top of the vaporizin g-cylinder P.

R is an internal cylinder which is vprovided with corresponding ports r2 and r4, designed to register with the ports fr and r2 when the valve is open, and the enlarged port T5, eX- tending from the port i" around the cylinder into proximity with the bottom edge of the supply-chamber S.

T is a valve having the valve-rod t. The valve T closes the port s, leading from the chamber S.

U is a valve having a valve-rod u, designed to close the exh aust-port u', from which leads the exhaust-pipe n2. It will be noticed in Fig. 5 that the valve U is situated in an upper lateral extension G2, forming part of the explosion-chamber.

On the shaft L are located the cams L' and L2. The rise of the cam L is situated as to direction of rotation before the rise of the cam L2, so that the vaporized gas is fed, as hereinafter described, some little time after the burned gases are allowed to escape.

T and T2 are arins pivoted on the stud t2, suitably heldin one side of the casing, as indicated. The arms T and T2 have forked bent ends, in which are pivoted rollers t2 and t4. The upper end of the arm T' is pivotally connected to the lower end of the valve-rod T, and the upper end of the arm T2 is pivotally connected to the lowery end of the rod U.` The cam L is so arranged upon the shaft L that upon the piston reaching the end of its upward stroke the cani has forced the roller t3 upwardly, thereby throwing the valve T upwardly and allowing the charge in the chamber S to enter into the explosion-chamber.

Upon the roller having passed the cam the valve closes, at which period the piston has reached the lower end of its stroke. lVhen the piston has returned to the head of the cylinder, compressing the charge, the spark takes place, as hereinbefore described, and the explosion occurs, forcing the piston downwardly. After the explosion has taken place and the piston has been given its impetus the cam L2 operates upon the roller t4, forcing the rod a upwardly, and consequently the valve' U upwardly from, its seat, thereby allowing the escape of the burned gases through the eX- haust-pipe u2.

The internal cylinder R' of the vapor-supply-regulating valve R has an end spindle R2, which has an arm R3, secured on the end, to which is connected a rod R4. The rod R4 itself is pivotally connected at the bottom end to an arm V, journaled on the main shaft G, the sleeve end of the arm V having an annular groove fu, into which fits the pin fo', located in the end of the bent levers V2, pivoted on the brackets V3, attached to or forming part of the hub of the ily-wheel.

V4 are the enlarged weighted ends of the levers V2, the ends of which are connected together by spiral springs V5.

o2 is a pin which is fastened obliquely in the arm V and extends obliquely into a hole fus in the casing A.

It will be seen that in the position shown in the drawings the inner cylinder R' is so set that the ports r' and r2 are opposite the ports r2 and r, and consequently the gas surcharged with air passing from the vaporizer will pass through into the interior of the cylinder R and chamber S and through the valveopening s as soon as the valve T is raised, and the explosion will take place, as hereinbefore premised.

When the momentum of the fly wheel throws out the weighted arms o4 of the governor, it will be seen that arm V will be moved longitudinally on the shaft, so that it will rise upwardly from the hole '02, into which the oblique pin extends, thereby serving to throw the rod R4 upwardly and partially close the ports fr' and r2, thus shutting off the full head of vapor. This simple movement effectually controls the supply of vapor, which is thrown into the explosion-chamber, and thus controls to a more or less degree the speed of the engine.

In order to provide for the admission of the air from the lower part of the casing into the upper portion and vaporizer, which is entirely separated from the lower portion by the crank-pit and plate D', I make openings D2 in the plate D and provide upwardly-extending pipes D3 with bent ends, so formed to prevent the percolation of the lubricating-oil through the said pipes.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination the crank-shaft, cylinder, connecting-rod, hollow piston provided with a convexA downwardly-depending head portion, pin extending through the piston on which the connecting-rod is journaled,saucer shaped cup for the connecting-rod and holes in the center of the same and leading through the bushing to the pin as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination, the casing, the cylinder and the piston, the explosion-chamber, and the igniter comprising a sleeve secured in the casing, a spring-blade extending therefrom into said explosion-chamber, a second sleeve within the first and insulated therefrom, a stem journaled in the second sleeve and extending inwardly past the end of the blade and provided with a lateral extension, a pin projecting laterally from the extension adapted to contact and break contact with said blade, a connection from said stem to a battery, means for operating the stem from a crank journaled to the casing, and the springfinger secured to the casing and insulated therefrom adapted to engage with said crank and to be disengaged therefrom, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, a vaporizer provided with a cylindrical casing with suitable upper internal head and open at the bottom, an oil-pipe leading into the IOO IIO

IZO

casing above the head, a ring'of perforations above the head in the periphery and a spiral groove extending from top to bottom of the cylindrical casing, perforations in the same and an outer casing therefor situated below the vapor-supply valve as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a machine of the class described, a vaporizer provided with a cylindrical casing with suitable upper internal head and open at the bottom, an oil-pipe leading into the casing above the head, a ring of perforations above the head in the periphery, a spiral groove extending from top to bottom of the cylindrical casing, perforations in the same, an outer casing therefor situated below the vapor-supply valve and a wrapping of wicking surrounding the cylindrical casing as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a machine of the class described, a vaporizer provided with a cylindrical casing with suitable upper internal head and open at the bottom, an oil-pipe leading into the casing above the head, a ring of perforations above the head in the periphery, a spiral groove extending from top to bottom of the cylindrical casing, perforations in the same, and a trough formed around the exterior of the cylinder at the bottom and a waste-pipe leading therefrom and an outer casing therefor situated below the vapor-supply valve as and for the purpose specified.

6. In combination the open -ended vaporizer, the perforations at the bottom of the casing to admit the air, the oil-supply pipe for the vaporizer, the cylindrical valve with longitudinal bottom ports, internal cylinder with corresponding ports, the ports in the outer supply-valve cylinder and inner cylinder leading into the supply-chamber and a valve connecting the supplychamber with the explosion-chamberas and for the purpose specified.

7. In combination, the casing, the cylinder and piston, the explosion-chamber, the igniter therein, and means for operating the same, a gas-inlet into the casing, a vaporizer below said inlet, a supply-chamber, and a three-Way valve in communication with the gas and vapor inlets and adapted to control the supply of the same to the supply-chamber, the inlet from the supply-chamber to the explosion-chamber, and the valve for controlling the same, substantially as described.

8. In combination, the cylinder and piston, the explosion-chamber, Jthe exhaust therefrom, the valve for controlling the same, the supply-chamben-the inlet therefrom to the explosion-chamber, the second valve for controlling said inlets, the main and counter shafts, the L-shaped levers pivoted at one end to a fixed support and having their opposite ends bifurcated,the valve-rods depending from the valves having their lower ends positivelyconnected to said L-shapedlevers, and the roller carried by the levers adapted to be operated upon by the cams, substantially as described.

9. The combination with supply-valve and internal cylinder thereof with suitable ports as specified, of the means for positively operating the same in its opening-and-closing action comprising the stem R3 rod R4, governor on the main shaft and means between the governor and the rod controlling the length of the upward movement of such rod as and for the purpose specified.

10. The combination with the supply-valve and internal cylinder thereof with suitable ports as specified, of the stem R3 rod R4 governor on the main shaft comprising the levers V2 pivoted on the brackets V3 secured to the hub of the fly-wheel and having weights V4 at one end and bent arms at the other provided with pins V', the arm V pivotally connected to the rod R4 and provided with a sleeve-shaped end swung on the main shaft, an annular groove in the sleeve-shaped end into which the pins V extend, an obliquelyset pin 'U2 secured in the arm V designed to coact with the obliqueV hole e3 made in the casing as and for the purpose specified.

MILTON BECK. Witnesses:

A. HANSEN, W. C. SP-ROUL. 

